JP2021030529A - Liquid ejection device, liquid ejection method, and inkjet printer - Google Patents

Abstract

To properly clean an ejection head.SOLUTION: A printing device being a liquid ejection device comprises: an inkjet head being an ejection head; a carriage; and an ink flow channel 110 being a liquid flow channel. Upon ink ejection, the carriage additionally holds an ink container 104 being a liquid container. The ink flow channel 110 includes: a head side flow channel 202; a switching unit 208; a container side flow channel 204; and a flow channel for cleaning 206. Upon ink ejection, the switching unit 208 connects the container side flow channel 204 and the head side flow channel 202 to each other, so that ink being liquid to be ejected is flown to the head side flow channel 202. Upon cleaning of the inkjet head 102, the switching unit 208 connects the flow channel for cleaning 206 and the head side flow channel 202 to each other, so that liquid for cleaning is flown to the head side flow channel 202.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

The present invention relates to a liquid discharge device, a liquid discharge method, and an inkjet printer.

Conventionally, an inkjet printer, which is a printing device that prints by an inkjet method, has been widely used. Further, as a configuration of an inkjet printer, a configuration in which ink is supplied to an inkjet head from an ink container (ink bottle or the like) arranged outside the carriage is widely used (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

JP-A-2018-001644

In an inkjet printer, when ink is supplied to the inkjet head from the outside of the carriage, ink is supplied to the inkjet head from an ink container outside the carriage by using an ink flow path such as a tube. Then, in this case, the ink contained in the ink flow path may be wasted. More specifically, in an inkjet printer, it may be necessary to clean the inkjet head with a cleaning liquid, for example, when changing the color of the ink used or during regular maintenance. In this case, it is necessary to discard the ink contained in the tube or the like before flowing the cleaning liquid, and the ink corresponding to the length of the path of the tube or the like is wasted.

Further, after cleaning, it is necessary to refill the tube or the like with ink. In this case, if a long tube or the like for supplying ink from the ink container outside the carriage to the inkjet head is used, it takes a lot of time to fill the ink. Therefore, conventionally, there has been a problem that it takes a lot of time and cost to clean the inkjet head. Further, such a problem has similarly occurred not only in an inkjet printer but also in a configuration using a discharge head that discharges a liquid. Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a liquid discharge device, a liquid discharge method, and an inkjet printer that can solve the above problems.

The inventor of the present application has conducted diligent research on a configuration capable of more appropriately cleaning a discharge head such as an inkjet head. Then, first, instead of supplying ink or the like to the discharge head from the outside of the carriage, it was considered to supply ink or the like from the container held in the carriage to the discharge head. With this configuration, for example, by reducing the length of the supply path for ink or the like, the amount of ink or the like that is wasted during cleaning can be appropriately reduced. In addition, the time required for filling ink or the like can be appropriately shortened.

However, in this case, it may be difficult to properly clean the ejection head only by mounting the container such as ink on the carriage. Therefore, the inventor of the present application has considered, through further diligent research, to supply a cleaning liquid or the like to the discharge head as needed by further using a switching unit for switching the liquid to be supplied to the discharge head. With such a configuration, for example, the discharge head can be appropriately cleaned.

In addition, the inventor of the present application has found the features necessary for obtaining such an effect through further diligent research, and has reached the present invention. In order to solve the above problems, the present invention is a liquid discharge device that discharges a liquid, and flows a discharge head that discharges the liquid, a carriage that holds the discharge head, and a liquid that is supplied to the discharge head. The carriage is a liquid container which is a container for storing the discharge liquid at least when the discharge liquid which is the liquid to be discharged to the discharge head is discharged to the discharge head. Further, the liquid flow path is a switching unit that switches between a head-side flow path connected to the discharge head, a flow path connected to the head-side flow path, and a flow path connected to the liquid container. It is a flow path on the container side connected to the flow path on the head side via the flow path, and a flow path through which a cleaning liquid, which is a liquid used for cleaning the discharge head at the time of cleaning the head for cleaning the discharge head, flows. It has a cleaning flow path connected to the head side flow path, and at the time of discharging the liquid, the switching portion connects the container side flow path and the head side flow path to cause the head side flow. The discharge liquid is flowed through the path, and at the time of head cleaning, the switching portion connects the cleaning flow path and the head side flow path to allow the cleaning liquid to flow through the head side flow path. It is characterized by.

With this configuration, for example, by switching the flow path connected to the head-side flow path by the switching unit, the cleaning liquid can be flowed to the discharge head as needed. Further, as a result, for example, the discharge head can be appropriately cleaned. Further, in this case, the discharge liquid can be supplied in a shorter flow path as compared with the case where the discharge liquid is supplied to the discharge head from the outside of the carriage, for example. Further, as a result, for example, when cleaning the head, the amount of wasted liquid for discharge and the time required for cleaning can be appropriately reduced. Further, for example, filling of the liquid for discharge into the flow path of the liquid can be appropriately performed in a short time.

In this configuration, for example, a three-way valve or the like can be preferably used as the switching unit. Further, as the cleaning liquid, for example, a known cleaning liquid or the like can be preferably used. Further, as the cleaning liquid, for example, water or the like may be used. Also, in this configuration, the carriage holds, for example, the liquid container interchangeably. Further, the liquid container can be considered as, for example, a container that does not receive the supply of the discharge liquid from the container outside the carriage when the liquid is discharged. In this case, the liquid container supplies the stored liquid for discharge to the discharge head. Further, in this case, as the liquid container, for example, a disposable container or the like can be preferably used. With this configuration, cleaning of the liquid container can be appropriately omitted even when, for example, the liquid supplied to the discharge head is changed. Further, in this configuration, the liquid container can be considered as, for example, an ink tank mounted on the carriage.

Further, in this configuration, the liquid discharge device may further include a carriage drive unit for moving the carriage. In this case, the carriage drive unit moves the discharge head together with the carriage by moving the carriage. With this configuration, for example, the position at which the discharge liquid is discharged can be variously changed by the discharge head. Further, also in this case, by using the liquid container held by the carriage, the discharge liquid can be appropriately supplied to the discharge head regardless of the position of the carriage.

Further, at the time of head cleaning, the cleaning flow path allows, for example, a cleaning liquid supplied from a container installed outside the carriage to flow. With this configuration, for example, the cleaning liquid can be appropriately supplied to the discharge head. Further, in this case, by supplying the cleaning liquid from the outside of the carriage, it is possible to appropriately prevent the weight of the configuration mounted on the carriage from becoming excessively heavy. Further, in this case, it is preferable that the liquid discharge device further includes a cleaning container holding portion for holding a container for storing the cleaning liquid outside the carriage. Further, in this case, a container for storing the cleaning liquid is attached to the cleaning container holding portion, for example, at the time of head cleaning. Further, when discharging the liquid, it is conceivable to remove the container for storing the cleaning liquid from the cleaning container holding portion.

Further, in this configuration, the liquid discharge device may further include a degassing unit that degass the discharge liquid. In this case, it is preferable to further hold the degassed portion by the carriage. Further, the degassing unit degass the discharge liquid, for example, in the middle of the path in which the discharge liquid flows from the liquid container to the discharge head. With this configuration, for example, deaeration of the discharge liquid can be appropriately performed. Further, this makes it possible to more stably discharge the discharge liquid from the discharge head, for example.

Further, depending on the application of the liquid discharge device, it is conceivable to further use a discharge head that receives the discharge liquid from the outside of the carriage in addition to the discharge head that receives the discharge liquid from the liquid container on the carriage. .. In this case, the liquid discharge device further includes, for example, a discharge head to which the discharge liquid is supplied from an external container which is a container for storing the discharge liquid outside the carriage.

More specifically, for example, when the discharge liquid to be discharged from the discharge head is changed and the discharge head is cleaned each time the change is made, it is necessary to reduce the waste of the discharge liquid generated at the time of cleaning the head and to perform cleaning. It is desirable to reduce the time. In such a case, it is considered preferable to supply the discharge liquid from the liquid container mounted on the carriage. However, for example, if the discharge head is washed infrequently, it is considered that a problem is unlikely to occur even if the discharge liquid is supplied from the outside of the carriage via a tube or the like. Further, for a discharge head that discharges a large amount of discharge liquid, it may be preferable to discharge the discharge liquid from the outside of the carriage.

Then, depending on the application of the liquid discharge device, it is conceivable that the discharge liquid is changed more frequently than a certain degree for only a part of the discharge heads. In such a case, it is preferable to use the discharge head that receives the discharge liquid from the liquid container on the carriage and the discharge head that receives the discharge liquid from the outside of the carriage together. With this configuration, for example, the discharge liquid can be supplied by a method according to the usage of each discharge head.

Further, as the liquid ejection device having such a configuration, for example, a printing apparatus using ink as the ejection liquid can be considered. In this case, the discharge head to which the liquid for discharge is supplied from the liquid container held in the carriage is defined as the liquid supply head in the carriage, and the discharge head to which the liquid for discharge is supplied from the external container is defined as the liquid supply head outside the carriage. Then, the liquid ejection device includes, for example, a plurality of extra-carriage liquid supply heads that eject inks of different colors from each other, and one or more in-carriage liquid supply heads. Further, in this case, each of the plurality of extra-carriage liquid supply heads ejects ink of each color of the process color, which is a basic color used for color expression in, for example, a subtractive color mixing method. Further, the liquid supply head in the carriage ejects a special color ink which is a color other than the process color.

With this configuration, by ejecting the special color ink by the liquid supply head in the carriage, it is possible to more easily and appropriately clean the ejection head even when the special color ink to be used is changed. Further, by ejecting the process color ink in the liquid supply head outside the carriage, the ink of the same color can be continuously used in the liquid supply head outside the carriage even when the special color ink is changed, for example. Further, as a result, for example, the frequency of cleaning the liquid supply head outside the carriage can be appropriately reduced.

Further, regarding the present invention, for example, features from a viewpoint other than cleaning can be considered. Further, as such a feature, for example, it is possible to consider a configuration in which a discharge head that receives the discharge liquid from the liquid container on the carriage and a discharge head that receives the discharge liquid from the outside of the carriage are used in combination. it can. In this case, in the present invention, for example, in a liquid discharge device including a plurality of discharge heads and a carriage, a discharge liquid is supplied from a liquid container held by the carriage to a part of the plurality of discharge heads. The discharge liquid is supplied from an external container outside the carriage to other discharge heads other than some discharge heads. With this configuration, for example, the discharge liquid can be supplied to each of the plurality of discharge heads by a method according to the usage of each discharge head.

Further, as the configuration of the present invention, it is conceivable to use a liquid ejection method, an inkjet printer or the like having the same characteristics as described above. In this case as well, for example, the same effect as described above can be obtained.

According to the present invention, for example, the discharge head can be appropriately cleaned.

It is a figure explaining the printing apparatus 10 which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. FIG. 1A shows an example of the configuration of a main part of the printing apparatus 10. FIG. 1B shows an example of the configuration of the head portion 12 in the printing apparatus 10. It is a figure which shows an example of the detailed structure of the ink flow path 110. It is a figure which shows an example of the structure of the ink flow path 110 more concretely. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the operation of cleaning the inkjet head 102. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the operation of filling ink. It is a figure explaining the modification of the structure of the printing apparatus 10. FIG. 6A shows an example of the configuration of the main part of the printing apparatus 10. FIG. 6B shows an example of the configuration of the head portion 12 in the printing apparatus 10.

Hereinafter, embodiments according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a printing apparatus 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1A shows an example of the configuration of a main part of the printing apparatus 10. In this example, the printing device 10 is an inkjet printer that prints on a medium (media) 50 to be printed by an inkjet method, and is a head unit 12, a platen 14, a guide rail 16, a scanning drive unit 18, and a maintenance unit 20. , And a control unit 30.

In this example, the printing device 10 is an example of a liquid discharge device that discharges a liquid. Further, except for the points described above and below, the printing apparatus 10 may have the same or the same characteristics as the known inkjet printer. For example, the printing device 10 may further include various configurations that are the same as or similar to those of a known inkjet printer, in addition to the configuration of the main part shown in the figure. Further, in this example, the printing device 10 is a printing device (large format printer) that prints on a large medium 50. In this case, the large medium 50 is, for example, a medium having a width of about 50 cm or more (preferably about 1 m or more). The width of the medium 50 is the width in the main scanning direction in which the head portion 12 is moved during the main scanning operation described below.

The head portion 12 is a portion having an inkjet head that ejects ink to the medium 50. Further, in this example, the head portion 12 has a carriage, an inkjet head, an ink container, and the like. The features of the head portion 12 will be described in more detail later. The platen 14 is a trapezoidal member that supports the medium 50. In this example, the platen 14 holds the medium 50 in a state of facing the head portion 12 by placing the medium 50 on the upper surface at a position facing the head portion 12.

The guide rail 16 is a rail-shaped member that guides the movement of the head portion 12. In this example, the guide rail 16 extends in a predetermined main scanning direction and guides the movement of the head portion 12 during the main scanning operation. In this case, the main scanning operation is an operation of ejecting ink while moving the inkjet head in the main scanning direction. Further, the guide rail 16 movably holds the carriage in the head portion 12. Further, as a result, the guide rail 16 also holds each configuration (for example, an inkjet head or the like) held by the carriage so as to be movable in the main scanning direction.

The scanning drive unit 18 is a drive unit that causes the inkjet head in the head unit 12 to perform a scanning operation that moves relative to the medium 50. Further, in this example, the scanning drive unit 18 causes the inkjet head to perform the main scanning operation and the sub-scanning operation. In this case, the sub-scanning operation is an operation of moving relative to the platen 14 in the sub-scanning direction orthogonal to the main scanning direction. More specifically, the scanning drive unit 18 causes the inkjet head to perform the main scanning operation by ejecting ink to the inkjet in the head unit 12 while moving the head unit 12 along the guide rail 16. Further, the scanning drive unit 18 causes the inkjet head to perform a sub-scanning operation by, for example, moving the medium 50 in a transport direction parallel to the sub-scanning direction. The scanning drive unit 18 may cause the inkjet head to perform the main scanning operation by, for example, moving the side of the head unit 12.

By using such a scanning drive unit 18, for example, the position of ejecting ink by the inkjet head in the head unit 12 can be changed in various ways. Further, as a result, for example, ink can be appropriately ejected to each position of the medium 50. Further, in this example, the scanning drive unit 18 can be considered as an example of the carriage drive unit that moves the carriage. In this case, the carriage drive unit can be considered, for example, a configuration in which the inkjet head or the like is moved together with the carriage by moving the carriage.

The maintenance unit 20 is configured to perform maintenance on the head unit 12. Further, in this example, the maintenance unit 20 cleans the inkjet head (head cleaning) in the head unit 12, cleans the inkjet head, and the like. In this case, the head cleaning is, for example, removing dirt on the outer surface of the inkjet head. Further, in this example, the maintenance unit 20 performs wiping on the nozzle surface in the same manner as or in the same manner as a known method for head cleaning. In this case, the nozzle surface is the surface of the inkjet head on which the nozzle for ejecting ink is formed. Wiping is wiping with a wiper or the like. Further, the cleaning of the inkjet head is to clean the flow path of the ink inside the inkjet head. In this example, the maintenance unit 20 cleans the inkjet head using the cleaning liquid. The method of cleaning the inkjet head will be described in more detail later.

The control unit 30 has a configuration including a CPU of the printing device 10, and controls the operation of each unit of the printing device 10. According to this example, for example, printing on the medium 50 can be appropriately performed.

Subsequently, the features of the head portion 12 in this example will be described in more detail. FIG. 1B shows an example of the configuration of the head portion 12 in the printing apparatus 10. In this example, the head portion 12 has a carriage 100, a plurality of inkjet heads 102, a plurality of ink containers 104, and a plurality of ink flow paths 110.

The carriage 100 is a holding member that holds other configurations of the head portion 12. Further, in this example, the carriage 100 has a plurality of head holding portions 152 and a plurality of container holding portions 154. The plurality of head holding portions 152 are configured to hold a plurality of inkjet heads 102. Each head holding portion 152 holds each of the inkjet heads 102 so that the ink ejection direction is directed toward the medium. Further, the plurality of container holding units 154 are configured to hold a plurality of ink containers 104. Further, as will be described in more detail later, in this example, as the ink container 104, a container that is replaced when it becomes empty is used. Therefore, in this example, each container holding portion 154 holds each ink container 104 in a replaceable manner. In this case, holding the ink container 104 in a replaceable manner means that the ink container 104 can be easily replaced at the time of cleaning the inkjet head 102 (during head cleaning) performed in, for example, the maintenance unit 20 (see FIG. 1). It is to hold 104. Further, in this case, at least when the ink is ejected to the inkjet head 102, the container holding portion 154 is made to hold the ink container 104. Further, as a result, the carriage 100 holds a plurality of ink containers 104 at least at the time of ink ejection. Further, although not shown, the carriage 100 may further have a configuration for holding each member constituting the plurality of ink flow paths 110.

The plurality of inkjet heads 102 are ejection heads that eject ink by an inkjet method. Further, in this example, each of the plurality of inkjet heads 102 ejects ink supplied from the ink container 104 held together with the inkjet head 102 by the carriage 100. Further, in this example, each of the plurality of inkjet heads is an example of a ejection head.

In this example, the ink ejection is an example of the liquid ejection in which the ejection liquid is ejected to the ejection head. In this case, the discharge liquid is a liquid to be discharged to the discharge head. Further, the ink ejected from each of the inkjet heads 102 is an example of the ejection liquid. Further, each of the inkjet heads 102 can be considered as an example of the liquid supply head in the carriage. In this case, the liquid supply head in the carriage is a discharge head to which the discharge liquid is supplied from the liquid container held by the carriage.

Each of the plurality of ink containers 104 is a liquid container that stores ink on the carriage 100, and supplies ink to the respective inkjet heads 102 at the time of ink ejection. Further, in this example, the ink container 104 is an example of a liquid container held by the carriage 100. The ink container 104 can be considered, for example, an ink tank mounted on the carriage 100.

Further, in this example, the ink container 104 is a container that is replaced when it becomes empty, and the stored ink is inkjetd without receiving the ink supply from the container outside the carriage 100 at the time of ink ejection. It is supplied to the head 102. In this case, the fact that the ink container 104 does not receive the ink supply from the container outside the carriage 100 can be considered, for example, that the ink container 104 becomes the most upstream in the ink path at the time of ink ejection. .. Further, as the ink container 104, for example, a disposable container or the like can be preferably used. With this configuration, for example, when cleaning the inkjet head 102, it is possible to omit cleaning the ink container 104. Further, as the ink container 104, for example, a container for injecting ink after being attached to the carriage 100 may be used. In this case as well, regarding the operation of the ink container 104 at the time of ink ejection, it can be considered that the ink is supplied to the inkjet head 102 without receiving the ink from the container outside the carriage 100.

Further, as described above, in this example, the ink container 104 is a component that is appropriately replaced as needed. In this case, it is conceivable to remove the ink container 104 at a timing when printing is not executed in the printing device 10. Therefore, depending on how the head portion 12 is defined, the configuration in which the plurality of ink containers 104 are excluded from the configuration shown in FIG. 1B can be considered as an element constituting the head portion 12.

The plurality of ink flow paths 110 are ink flow paths that connect the plurality of ink containers 104 and the plurality of inkjet heads 102. Further, in this case, each ink flow path 110 connects each ink container 104 and each inkjet head 102, so that ink flows from each ink container 104 to each inkjet head 102. Further, in this example, each ink flow path 110 is an example of a liquid flow path through which a liquid to be supplied to the ejection head flows. The configuration of the ink flow path 110 will be described in more detail below.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a detailed configuration of the ink flow path 110, and shows an example of the configuration of a main part of one ink flow path 110 in the head portion 12. In this case, it can be considered that the other ink flow paths 110 in the head portion 12 have the same configuration. Further, in this example, the ink flow path 110 has a head side flow path 202, a container side flow path 204, a cleaning flow path 206, and a switching portion 208.

The head-side flow path 202 is a flow path connected to the inkjet head 102, and connects the switching unit 208 and the inkjet head 102. Further, as a result, at the time of ink ejection, the head-side flow path 202 causes the ink supplied from the ink container 104 to flow toward the inkjet head 102. Further, when cleaning the inkjet head 102, the head-side flow path 202 causes the cleaning liquid supplied from the cleaning liquid bottle 302 to flow toward the inkjet head 102 via the switching unit 208.

Further, in this example, the head-side flow path 202 has a degassing unit 224 and a pressure adjusting unit 226, and when ink is discharged, ink is supplied to the inkjet head 102 via the degassing unit 224 and the pressure adjusting unit 226. Shed. Further, in this example, it can be considered that the degassing unit 224 and the pressure adjusting unit 226 are also held by the carriage 100 (see FIG. 1) together with the inkjet head 102.

The degassing unit 224 is configured to degas the ink, and is provided in the head side flow path 202 so that the ink can be transferred to the ink in the middle of the path through which the ink flows from the ink container 104 to the inkjet head 102. On the other hand, degas. Further, in this example, the degassing unit 224 can be considered to be, for example, a configuration in which degassing is performed on the carriage 100 by being held by the carriage 100. By using the degassing unit 224, for example, degassing of the ink can be appropriately performed. Further, as a result, for example, ink can be more stably discharged from the inkjet head 102. As the degassing unit 224, a known degassing module or the like can be preferably used. The pressure adjusting unit 226 is configured to adjust the pressure of the ink supplied to the inkjet head 102. As the pressure adjusting unit 226, a pressure damper such as a known pressure damper can be preferably used.

The container-side flow path 204 is a flow path connected to the ink container 104, and connects the ink container 104 and the switching portion 208. Further, as a result, at the time of ink ejection, the container-side flow path 204 causes the ink to flow toward the inkjet head 102 via the switching portion 208 and the head-side flow path 202. The container-side flow path 204 can be considered, for example, a flow path connected to the head-side flow path 202 via the switching portion 208.

Further, in this example, the container-side flow path 204 has a filter 222, and when ink is ejected, ink flows from the ink container 104 to the switching unit 208 via the filter 222. The filter 222 is configured to remove impurities and the like in the ink. As the filter 222, a known filter can be preferably used. Further, in this case, it can be considered that the filter 222 is also held by the carriage 100 together with the inkjet head 102.

The cleaning flow path 206 is a flow path through which the cleaning liquid used when cleaning the inkjet head 102 flows, and connects the cleaning liquid bottle 302 and the switching unit 208. Further, as a result, at the time of cleaning the inkjet head 102, the cleaning flow path 206 causes the cleaning liquid to flow toward the inkjet head 102 via the switching portion 208 and the head side flow path 202. The cleaning flow path 206 can be considered as, for example, a flow path connected to the head side flow path 202 via the switching portion 208.

Further, in this example, the cleaning liquid is an example of a cleaning liquid which is a liquid used for cleaning the inkjet head 102. As the cleaning liquid, it is conceivable to use the same or similar liquid as the known cleaning liquid used for cleaning the inkjet head 102. Further, depending on the purpose of cleaning, it is conceivable to use water or the like as the cleaning liquid.

The cleaning liquid bottle 302 is an example of a container for storing the cleaning liquid. In this example, the cleaning liquid bottle 302 is a bottle-shaped container for storing the cleaning liquid, and is installed outside the carriage 100 when the inkjet head 102 is cleaned. In this configuration, by supplying the cleaning liquid from the outside of the carriage 100, for example, the cleaning liquid is appropriately supplied to the inkjet head 102 while appropriately preventing the weight of the configuration mounted on the carriage 100 from becoming excessively heavy. Can be supplied to.

Further, it can be considered that the cleaning flow path 206 is connected to the cleaning liquid bottle 302 via, for example, a liquid flow path outside the carriage 100. Then, in this case, of the liquid flow path connecting the cleaning liquid bottle 302 and the switching portion 208, the portion on the carriage 100 can be considered as the cleaning flow path 206. Further, it is preferable that the printing apparatus 10 (see FIG. 1) further includes a cleaning container holding portion for holding the cleaning liquid bottle 302 outside the carriage 100. In this case, the cleaning liquid bottle 302 is installed in the cleaning container holding portion when cleaning the inkjet head 102, and supplies the cleaning liquid to the inkjet head 102. Further, when the ink is ejected when the printing operation is performed in the printing apparatus 10, it is conceivable that the cleaning liquid bottle 302 is removed from the cleaning container holding portion. With this configuration, for example, the cleaning liquid bottle 302 can be attached to the printing apparatus 10 as needed.

The switching unit 208 is configured to switch the flow path connected to the head side flow path 202, and selectively connects one of the container side flow path 204 and the cleaning flow path 206 to the head side flow path 202. More specifically, at the time of ink ejection to eject ink to the inkjet head 102, the switching unit 208 connects the container-side flow path 204 and the head-side flow path 202 to ink via the container-side flow path 204. The ink supplied from the container 104 is flowed to the head side flow path 202. Further, when cleaning the inkjet head 102, the switching unit 208 connects the cleaning flow path 206 and the head side flow path 202 to supply the cleaning liquid supplied from the cleaning liquid bottle 302 via the cleaning flow path 206. It flows to the head side flow path 202. As the switching unit 208, a known three-way valve (three-way cock) can be preferably used. Further, in this example, it can be considered that the switching unit 208 is also held by the carriage 100 together with the inkjet head 102.

According to this example, for example, the ink and the cleaning liquid can be appropriately selected as the liquid to be supplied to the inkjet head 102 via the head-side flow path 202. Further, this makes it possible to appropriately eject the ink by the inkjet head 102 and clean the inkjet head 102. Further, as described above, in this example, the ink container 104 is held by the carriage 100 together with the inkjet head 102. Therefore, the ink can be supplied by the shorter ink flow path 110 as compared with the case where the ink is supplied to the inkjet head 102 from the outside of the carriage 100, for example. Further, as a result, it is possible to appropriately reduce the amount of wasted ink, the time required for cleaning, and the like when cleaning the inkjet head 102, for example. Further, for example, filling of the ink flow path 110 with ink can be appropriately performed in a short time.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a more specific example of the configuration of the ink flow path 110, and is an example of the arrangement of each configuration in the plurality of ink flow paths 110 on the carriage 100 (see FIG. 1). Shown with. As shown in the figure, in this example, the filter 222, the degassing unit 224, the pressure adjusting unit 226, and the switching unit 208 in the ink flow path 110 are installed on the carriage 100 together with the ink container 104. Further, in this case, the ink flow path 110 (see FIG. 2) is configured by appropriately connecting the respective configurations indicated by reference numerals in the drawing with a liquid flow path. According to this example, for example, each configuration of the ink flow path 110 can be appropriately installed on the carriage 100.

Subsequently, the operation of cleaning the inkjet head 102 in this example will be described in more detail. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of an operation of cleaning the inkjet head 102.

In this example, when cleaning the inkjet head 102, first, the remaining ink (residual ink) is extracted (S102). In this case, the residual ink is, for example, the ink remaining in the ink container 104 or the like. More specifically, the remaining ink can be considered, for example, the ink remaining in the ink container 104, the ink flow path 110, and the inkjet head 102. Further, in this example, in a state where the container-side flow path 204 and the head-side flow path 202 are connected by the switching unit 208, the flow path or the inkjet head 102 connected to the inkjet head 102 in order to remove the air in the inkjet head 102. The residual ink is extracted by sucking the residual ink through the head air bleeding valve, which is a valve provided in the above. In this case, for example, an air bleeding jig, which is a jig used for bleeding air in the inkjet head 102, is connected to the air bleeding valve, and suction is performed by a suction pump installed outside the carriage 100. Aspirate ink. In addition, after performing the work of sucking the residual ink, the air bleeding jig is removed.

Then, the ink container 104 and the filter 222 are removed (S104), and the head is cleaned (S106). In this case, as head cleaning, the maintenance unit 20 (see FIG. 1) wipes with a wiper or the like.

Further, after the head cleaning is completed, the cleaning liquid bottle 302 is installed (S108). The cleaning liquid bottle 302 may be installed, for example, before the head cleaning is completed. Further, after installing the cleaning liquid bottle 302, the switching unit 208 is operated to connect the cleaning flow path 206 and the head side flow path 202 (S110). Further, as a result, the cleaning liquid is supplied from the cleaning liquid bottle 302 to the inkjet head 102.

Then, by sucking from the head air bleeding valve, the cleaning liquid is allowed to flow in the inkjet head 102 to clean the inkjet head 102 (S112). In this case, it is conceivable that the suction from the head air bleeding valve is performed in the same manner as or in the same manner as when the residual ink is bleeding. With such a configuration, for example, it is appropriate to clean the inkjet head 102 with a cleaning liquid. Can be done. Further, in this case, for example, it is conceivable to suck the cleaning liquid so that about 150 ml (for example, 100 to 200 ml) of the cleaning liquid is discharged.

Then, after flowing a required amount of cleaning liquid through the inkjet head 102, head cleaning is performed (S114), and further, the switching unit 208 is operated so that the cleaning liquid is not supplied from the cleaning liquid bottle 302 to the inkjet head 102. , The cleaning flow path 206 and the head side flow path 202 are separated (S116). Further, for example, the head side flow path 202 and the container side flow path 204 are reconnected by this.

Then, for example, by performing suction by the suction pump in the same manner as or in the same manner as when removing the residual ink, the cleaning liquid remaining in the ink flow path 110 or the inkjet head 102 is discharged via the head air bleeding valve (S118). ). Also, after this work, the air bleeding jig is removed. Further, in this example, after that, the head cleaning is further performed (S120) to complete the operation of cleaning the inkjet head 102. According to this example, the inkjet head 102 can be properly cleaned.

Further, after cleaning the inkjet head 102, for example, before starting a new printing operation, the ink flow path 110 is filled with ink as necessary. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of an operation of filling ink.

In this example, when filling the ink flow path 110 and the inkjet head 102 with ink, first, the ink container 104 and the filter 222 are installed (S202). In this case, it is conceivable to replace the ink container 104 and the filter 222 as needed. Further, if necessary, the degassing unit 224 may be further replaced.

Then, after the ink container 104 or the like is installed, the ink flow path 110 and the inkjet head 102 are filled with the ink by flowing the ink from the ink container 104 to the container side flow path 204 (S204). In this case, the switching unit 208 is in a state of connecting the container-side flow path 204 and the head-side flow path 202.

Further, in this case, for example, the ink in the ink container 104 may be pushed out to the container side flow path 204 by applying pressure to the ink in the ink container 104. More specifically, in this example, as the ink container 104, for example, a syringe-type container or the like may be used. Then, in this case, for example, it is conceivable to apply pressure by a piston inserted into the syringe.

When using the syringe-type ink container 104, for example, it is conceivable to use a container with a scale indicating the amount of ink in the ink container 104. With this configuration, for example, the amount of ink in the ink container 104 can be easily and appropriately confirmed. Further, when the degassing portion 224 is arranged in the ink flow path 110 as in this example, for example, about 15 ml (for example, about 10 to 20 ml) of ink is consumed by the work of filling the ink. .. Further, when filling the ink, it is conceivable to connect the air bleeding jig to the air bleeding valve in the same manner as when the residual ink is bleeding or when the cleaning liquid is discharged. With this configuration, for example, even when the filled ink overflows from the inkjet head, the overflowed ink can be appropriately discharged. Further, in this case, after performing the work of filling a predetermined amount of ink, the air bleeding jig is removed.

Further, after filling the ink in step S204, head cleaning is performed (S206). Further, after the head cleaning is performed, a test print for printing a predetermined test pattern is performed (S208), and the state of the nozzle is confirmed. Then, if there is a problem with the result of the test print, the operation of filling the ink is completed.

If, as a result of the test print in step S208, it is found that there is a problem such as non-ejection in the nozzle state, it is conceivable to perform head cleaning again, for example. Further, if a problem remains in the nozzle state even after performing the head cleaning a predetermined number of times, it is conceivable to perform a detailed inspection or the like again.

Subsequently, supplementary explanations regarding each configuration described above, explanations of modification examples, and the like will be given. As described above, in this example, the ink container 104 held by the carriage 100 is used. In this case, for example, ink can be appropriately supplied to the inkjet head 102 regardless of the position of the carriage 100. Further, as described above, in this case, the ink flow path 110 for supplying ink from the ink container 104 to the inkjet head 102 can be shortened, which is wasteful when cleaning the inkjet head 102. It is possible to reduce the amount of ink, and to shorten the time required for cleaning and filling the ink.

Further, in this case, it becomes easy to change the ink used in the inkjet head 102 by suppressing the influence of problems that occur when cleaning the inkjet head 102 or filling the ink. In this case, changing the ink used in the inkjet head 102 means, for example, changing the color of the ink ejected from the inkjet head 102, changing the type of ink, and the like. Therefore, the printing apparatus 10 of this example can be particularly preferably used in, for example, an application in which the ink to be used is frequently changed.

Further, in this case, as an application in which the ink to be used is frequently changed, for example, an application in which inks of various special colors are switched and used can be considered. In this case, the special color can be considered as, for example, a color other than the process color. Further, the process color can be considered as, for example, a basic color used for color expression in a subtractive color mixing method or the like. In this case, in the printing apparatus 10, it is conceivable to use a container for special color ink as a part of the ink container 104 and a container for process color as another ink container 104. Further, depending on the application of the printing apparatus 10, it is conceivable to use special color containers as all the ink containers 104. In this case, it is conceivable that the printing apparatus 10 prints on the medium using inks having a plurality of special colors different from each other. Further, in this case, as the spot color ink, for example, it is conceivable to use an ink having a color that has been toned in advance according to the color used for printing. With this configuration, for example, printing in a desired color can be performed with higher accuracy. Further, depending on how the special color ink is used, the special color ink can be considered as, for example, an ink for expressing the same color without mixing with the ink of another color. Further, as an application in which the ink to be used is frequently changed, for example, an application for conducting an experiment using various inks can be considered. In this case, the printing device 10 can be considered as, for example, a device used for such an experiment.

Further, depending on the application of the printing apparatus 10, for example, it is conceivable that the frequency of changing the ink used for only some of the inkjet heads will increase. In this case, it is conceivable that the problem at the time of cleaning the inkjet head and filling the ink becomes large only in a part of the inkjet head and the flow path of the ink corresponding to the inkjet head.

More specifically, for example, when the ink discharged from the inkjet head is changed and the inkjet head is cleaned each time the ink is changed, it is preferable to reduce the waste of ink and the time required for cleaning. Conceivable. Therefore, in such a case, it is considered preferable to supply the ink from the ink container 104 mounted on the carriage 100. However, for example, if the frequency of cleaning the inkjet head is low, it is considered that the problem is unlikely to occur even if the ink is supplied from the outside of the carriage 100 via a tube or the like. Further, for an inkjet head that ejects a large amount of ink, it may be preferable to eject ink from the outside of the carriage 100. Then, in such a case, ink is supplied from the ink container 104 on the carriage 100 only to a part of the inkjet heads, and ink is supplied from the ink container outside the carriage 100 to the other inkjet heads. It is also possible to supply it.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a modified example of the configuration of the printing apparatus 10. FIG. 6A shows an example of the configuration of the main part of the printing apparatus 10. FIG. 6B shows an example of the configuration of the head portion 12 in the printing apparatus 10. Except for the points described below, the configurations with the same reference numerals as those in FIGS. 1 to 5 in FIG. 6 may have the same or similar characteristics as the configurations in FIGS. 1 to 5.

In this modification, the printing apparatus 10 further uses an inkjet head 122 that receives ink supplied from the outside of the carriage 100, in addition to the inkjet head 102 that receives ink supplied from the ink container 104 on the carriage 100. More specifically, in the present modification, the printing apparatus 10 further includes an ink supply unit 26 and an external ink flow path 28 as compared with the configuration of the printing apparatus 10 shown in FIG. In addition, the ink supply unit 26 has a plurality of ink containers 312. In this case, each of the plurality of ink containers 312 can be considered as, for example, a container for storing ink outside the carriage 100. Further, in this modification, each of the plurality of ink containers 312 is an example of an external container for storing ink outside the carriage 100. As the ink container 312, a known ink bottle, ink cartridge, or the like can be preferably used. Further, the head portion 12 further includes a plurality of inkjet heads 122. In this case, a part of the plurality of head holding portions 152 in the carriage 100 holds the inkjet head 122, for example, as shown in the drawing.

Further, each of the plurality of inkjet heads 102 in the head portion 12 can be considered as, for example, an ejection head that receives ink supplied from the ink container 104 on the carriage 100. Further, each of the plurality of inkjet heads 122 can be considered as, for example, an ejection head in which ink is supplied from the ink container 312 outside the carriage 100. Further, in this modification, each inkjet head 102 is an example of a liquid supply head in a carriage. Further, each of the inkjet heads 122 is an example of a liquid supply head outside the carriage. In this case, the liquid supply head in the carriage is a discharge head to which the discharge liquid is supplied from the liquid container held in the carriage, as described above. The liquid supply head outside the carriage is a discharge head to which the liquid for discharge is supplied from the outer container.

Further, in this modification, each of the plurality of inkjet heads 102 ejects a special color ink. In addition, each of the plurality of inkjet heads 122 ejects ink of each color of the process color. In this case, as the ink of each color of the process color, for example, inks of each color of cyan (C color), magenta color (M color), yellow color (Y color), and black color (K color) are used. Can be considered. Further, the configuration of the printing apparatus 10 in this modification is considered to be, for example, a configuration including a plurality of out-carriage liquid supply heads for ejecting inks of different colors and one or more in-carriage liquid supply heads. You can also.

According to this modification, for example, an inkjet head 102 that receives ink supplied from the ink container 104 inside the carriage 100 and an inkjet head 122 that receives ink supplied from outside the carriage 100 can be appropriately used together. Further, thereby, for example, the ink can be appropriately supplied to the inkjet head 102 and the inkjet head 122 by a method according to each inkjet head.

Further, in this case, for example, by ejecting the special color ink by the inkjet head 102, the cleaning of the special color ink can be more easily and appropriately performed even when the special color ink to be used is changed. Further, by ejecting the process color ink in the inkjet head 122, for example, even when the special color ink used in the inkjet head 102 is changed, the ink of the same color can be continuously used in the inkjet head 122. Further, as a result, for example, the frequency of cleaning the inkjet head 122 can be appropriately reduced.

Further, the configuration of the printing apparatus 10 may be further modified. For example, in the case of the configuration shown in FIG. 6, it can be considered that the inkjet head 102 and the inkjet head 122 are held by the same carriage 100. However, the inkjet head 122 may be held by, for example, a carriage 100 different from the carriage 100 for the inkjet head 102. In this case, it can be considered that the head portion 12 in the printing apparatus 10 has a plurality of carriages 100.

Further, in the above description, the ink container 104 held on the carriage 100 has been described, for example, when a disposable container is used. However, as the ink container 104, a container capable of replenishing ink may be used. In this case, the replenishment of ink to the ink container 104 is, for example, replenishment performed at a timing other than the time when the ink is ejected by the inkjet head 102. Further, the replenishment performed at a timing other than the ink ejection is, for example, a replenishment performed before and after printing on the medium 50 in the printing apparatus 10 or at a timing when the printing operation is interrupted. Further, it is conceivable that such replenishment is performed, for example, in the maintenance unit 20 or the like without using a tube or the like that is always connected to the ink container 104.

Further, in a further modification of the configuration of the printing apparatus 10, it is conceivable that such ink replenishment is automatically performed. In this case, for example, when the amount of ink in the ink container 104 becomes less than a predetermined amount, the head unit 12 may be moved to the maintenance unit 20 to automatically replenish the ink. Further, in this case, it is conceivable to add ink by temporarily connecting the configuration for supplying ink from the outside of the carriage 100 to the carriage 100.

Further, as described above, the printing device 10 described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 6 is an example of a liquid ejection device. Further, the printing device 10 can be thought of as, for example, an inkjet printer that draws a two-dimensional image on a medium. On the other hand, the main feature of the printing apparatus 10 described above may be used in a liquid ejection apparatus other than the printing apparatus 10.

More specifically, as the liquid discharge device, for example, it is conceivable to use a modeling device for modeling a three-dimensional modeled object. In this case, the liquid to be discharged as the material of the modeled object can be considered as an example of the liquid for discharge. Further, as the liquid discharge device, it is conceivable to use a device that discharges various functional liquids such as a chemical liquid. In this case, the functional liquid can be considered as an example of the discharge liquid. In these cases, it is conceivable to use a device in which the configuration of the printing device 10 is appropriately changed according to the application as the liquid discharge device. Further, also in these cases, the same effect as described above can be obtained by discharging the discharge liquid using the same or similar head portion as the head portion 12 in the printing apparatus 10.

The present invention can be suitably used for, for example, a liquid discharge device.

10 ... Printing device, 12 ... Head section, 14 ... Platen, 16 ... Guide rail, 18 ... Scanning drive section, 20 ... Maintenance section, 26 ... Ink supply section, 28 ... External ink flow path, 30 ... Control unit, 50 ... Medium, 100 ... Carriage, 102 ... Ink head, 104 ... Ink container, 110 ... Ink flow path, 122 ... Ink head, 152 ... Head holding part, 154 ... Container holding part, 202 ... Head side flow path, 204 ... Container side flow path, 206 ... Cleaning flow path, 208 ... Switching unit, 222 ... Filter, 224 ... Degassing unit, 226 ... Pressure adjustment unit, 302 ... Cleaning liquid bottle, 312 ... Ink container

Claims (11)

A liquid discharge device that discharges liquid
A discharge head that discharges liquid and
A carriage holding the discharge head and
A liquid flow path for flowing a liquid to be supplied to the discharge head is provided.
At least, at the time of liquid discharge in which the discharge liquid, which is the liquid to be discharged to the discharge head, is discharged to the discharge head, the carriage further holds the liquid container which is a container for storing the discharge liquid.
The liquid flow path is
The head-side flow path connected to the discharge head and
A switching unit that switches the flow path connected to the head side flow path,
A flow path connected to the liquid container, a container-side flow path connected to the head-side flow path via the switching portion, and a container-side flow path.
A flow path through which a cleaning liquid, which is a liquid used for cleaning the discharge head, flows during head cleaning for cleaning the discharge head, and has a cleaning flow path connected to the head side flow path via the switching portion. And
At the time of discharging the liquid, the switching portion connects the container-side flow path and the head-side flow path to allow the discharge liquid to flow into the head-side flow path.
A liquid discharge device characterized in that, at the time of head cleaning, the switching unit connects the cleaning flow path and the head side flow path to flow a cleaning liquid to the head side flow path. At the time of discharging the liquid, the liquid container is characterized in that the stored liquid for discharge is supplied to the discharge head without receiving the supply of the liquid for discharge from a container outside the carriage. The liquid discharge device according to claim 1. The liquid discharge device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein when the head is cleaned, the cleaning flow path flows the cleaning liquid supplied from a container installed outside the carriage. A degassing unit for degassing the discharge liquid is further provided in the middle of the path through which the discharge liquid flows from the liquid container to the discharge head.
The liquid discharge device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the carriage further holds the degassing portion. The liquid discharge according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising the discharge head to which the discharge liquid is supplied from an external container which is a container for storing the discharge liquid outside the carriage. apparatus. The liquid ejection device is a printing apparatus that uses ink as the ejection liquid.
The discharge head to which the discharge liquid is supplied from the liquid container held in the carriage is defined as an in-carriage liquid supply head, and the discharge head to which the discharge liquid is supplied from the outer container is a liquid outside the carriage. When defined as a supply head
A plurality of extra-carriage liquid supply heads that eject inks of different colors,
With one or more of the in-carriage liquid supply heads
Each of the plurality of extra-carriage liquid supply heads ejects ink of each color of the process color, which is the basic color used for color expression.
The liquid ejection device according to claim 5, wherein the liquid supply head in the carriage ejects ink having a special color other than the process color. A liquid discharge device that discharges liquid
With multiple discharge heads that discharge liquid,
A carriage for holding the discharge head is provided.
At least, at the time of liquid discharge in which the discharge liquid, which is the liquid to be discharged to the discharge head, is discharged to the discharge head, the carriage further holds the liquid container which is a container for storing the discharge liquid.
The discharge liquid is supplied from the liquid container held in the carriage to a part of the plurality of discharge heads, and the discharge head other than the part of the discharge heads is described as described above. A liquid discharge device characterized in that the discharge liquid is supplied from an external container which is a container for storing the discharge liquid outside the carriage. It is a liquid discharge method that discharges liquid.
A discharge head that discharges liquid and
A carriage holding the discharge head and
Using a liquid flow path through which the liquid supplied to the discharge head flows,
At least, at the time of discharging the liquid to be discharged to the discharge head, the carriage further holds the liquid container which is the container for storing the discharge liquid.
The liquid flow path is
The head-side flow path connected to the discharge head and
A switching unit that switches the flow path connected to the head side flow path,
A flow path connected to the liquid container, a container-side flow path connected to the head-side flow path via the switching portion, and a container-side flow path.
A flow path through which a cleaning liquid, which is a liquid used for cleaning the discharge head, flows during head cleaning for cleaning the discharge head, and has a cleaning flow path connected to the head side flow path via the switching portion. And
At the time of discharging the liquid, by connecting the container-side flow path and the head-side flow path by the switching portion, the discharge liquid is flowed into the head-side flow path.
A liquid discharge method characterized in that, at the time of head cleaning, a cleaning liquid is flowed to the head side flow path by connecting the cleaning flow path and the head side flow path by the switching portion. It is a liquid discharge method that discharges liquid.
With multiple discharge heads that discharge liquid,
Using a carriage that holds the discharge head,
At least, at the time of discharging the liquid to be discharged to the discharge head, the carriage further holds the liquid container which is the container for storing the discharge liquid.
The discharge liquid is supplied from the liquid container held by the carriage to a part of the plurality of discharge heads.
A liquid characterized by supplying the discharge liquid to the discharge head other than the part of the discharge head from an external container which is a container for storing the discharge liquid outside the carriage. Discharge method. It is an inkjet printer that prints by the inkjet method.
An inkjet head that ejects ink and
A carriage holding the inkjet head and
It is provided with an ink flow path for flowing ink to be supplied to the inkjet head.
At least during ink ejection, the carriage further holds an ink container, which is a container for storing ink, at the time of ejecting ink to the inkjet head.
The ink flow path is
The head-side flow path connected to the inkjet head and
A switching unit that switches the flow path connected to the head side flow path,
A flow path connected to the ink container, a container-side flow path connected to the head-side flow path via the switching portion, and a container-side flow path.
A flow path through which a cleaning liquid, which is a liquid used for cleaning the inkjet head, flows when the head is cleaned, and has a cleaning flow path connected to the head-side flow path via the switching portion. And
At the time of ejecting the ink, the switching unit causes the ink to flow into the head-side flow path by connecting the container-side flow path and the head-side flow path.
An inkjet printer characterized in that, at the time of cleaning the head, the switching unit connects the cleaning flow path and the head-side flow path to allow a cleaning liquid to flow through the head-side flow path. It is an inkjet printer that prints by the inkjet method.
With multiple inkjet heads that eject ink,
A carriage that holds the inkjet head is provided.
At least during ink ejection, the carriage further holds an ink container, which is a container for storing ink, at the time of ejecting ink to the inkjet head.
Ink is supplied from the ink container held in the carriage to a part of the plurality of inkjet heads, and to the other inkjet heads other than the part of the inkjet heads, the outside of the carriage. An inkjet printer characterized in that ink is supplied from an external container which is a container for storing ink in the above.